As we can see without the bandages, the damage done to K.A. has left its mark.. There's a light scarring pattern over her forehead from the point of impact, even after her miraculous recovery. People who've read previous comics of mine will not be unfamiliar with facially scarred characters in sympathetic and heroic roles, though this is comparatively mild

1.) We flash-forward to the present day, with the just awake K.A. looking at herself in the mirror, distraught over everything she's found out about in the past five years. There's a large bronze-ish patch on her forehead, the regenerated tissue from her brain injury.

KIRK (via memory): "I know you're gonna do great things, kiddo..."

2.) Beat panel, K.A. still looks in the mirror.

3.) BRYCE enters K.A.'s hospital room. He's in a dull green suit with a salmon shirt underneath. In contrast to his appearance five years ago, his head is completely shaven. He's wearing dark sunglasses with a wing-shaped wireless earpiece, and a high tech glove on one hand.

BRYCE: K.A....it's good to see you up.

K.A.: Bryce?!

4.) Bryce genially pats his buzzed head.

BRYCE: There's a few pounds less on the top...but yeah, it's me.

5.) K.A. quivers as she looks at her old friend. Behind her we see how she remembers him from five years ago, in armor except for the helmet, wearing a goofy wide grin and giving a thumbs up. His thick braces and bushy red hair contrast against his present appearance.

K.A.: Bryce...

6.) K.A. pulls Bryce in for a hug burying her face in his shoulder, while he freezes in place.

BRYCE: ?!?

7.) Bryce looks down uncomfortably towards the distraught girl in the exoskeleton squeezing him with more strength than intended.